The Atlantic Geoparks project has launched a new website to promote Geotourism in the European Atlantic Area. The website features 11 geotourism destinations which span the Atlantic frontier from Ireland and the UK, to France, Portugal, Spain and over to the Atlantic islands of Lanzarote and the Azores.
The geotourismroute.eu website promotes transnational geotourism along the western edge of Europe and will provide inspiration to those looking for exceptional travel experiences in remarkable landscapes. The site puts North Western Europe at the forefront of the growing international geotourism market.
Geotourism encourages slow travel and exploration of the landscape. It promotes the outdoors and the many ways you can immerse yourself in the culture of each of the featured regions. Each destination provides a window into the development of our Earth and tells a distinctive, dramatic and enthralling chapter of the story of life on the Atlantic frontier. Walking trails, cycling routes and water-based activities are just some of the inspirational activities featured on the site.
‘The website guides you through diverse territories, countries, habitats, languages and cultures’ said Artur Sá, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Atlantic Geoparks project leader. ‘Each of the stunning destinations are linked together by one powerful mission – to provide the highest quality visitor experiences while helping to power their local economies’ he continued ‘And by promoting them through an interactive website we hope to inspire future travellers’
The new website is just one element of the suite of products that is being developed by the EU funded Atlantic Geoparks project which involves international partners working collaboratively to support the development of sustainable geotourism in the European Atlantic Area.
With the website launching just as Europe is emerging from a long period of lockdown following the COVID-19 pandemic it is hoped that it can play a role in getting the economies of these regions which are highly dependent on tourism back on track.
‘Tourism destination have suffered greatly in recent months’ said Antonio Duarte, Arouca Geopark, website development partner ‘And we hope by shining a light on the truly inspirational landscapes and the outdoor experiences that are provided within them through this new website that we can encourage visitors both in the regions and internationally to visit when the time is right’.
About the Atlantic Geoparks project
The Atlantic Geoparks project is co-funded by the EU Interreg Atlantic Area programme. The project aims to forge new tourism links along a defined Atlantic route through highlighting the common interests and heritage of the destinations along the route. For more information see: https://geotourismroute.eu/atlantic-geoparks-project/
Project partners:
- University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (Portugal)
- Arouca Geopark (Portugal)
- Azores Geopark (Portugal)
- Forest Fawr Geopark (UK)
- Marble Arch Geopark (Northern Ireland / Ireland)
- Basque Coast Geopark (Spain)
- Lanzarote Geopark (Spain)
- Sustainable Municipalities Community of Cantabria Aspiring Geopark (Spain)
- PNR Armorique Aspiring Geopark (France)
- North Pennines AONB Geopark (UK)
- Burren and Cliffs of Moher Geopark (Ireland)
- Copper Coast Geopark (Ireland)
About the INTERREG Atlantic Area Programme
INTERREG Atlantic Area is an European funding programme that promotes transnational cooperation among 36 Atlantic regions of five European countries. With a total budget of € 185M, being €140M of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), this programme co-finances cooperation projects in the fields of Innovation & Competitiveness, Resource Efficiency, Territorial Risks Management, Biodiversity and Natural & Cultural Assets.
The Atlantic Area covers the western part of Europe bordering the Atlantic Ocean. It comprises regions from the western part of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Portugal as well as the northern and south westernmost part of Spain and western France.
The Programme main objective is to strengthen the integrated territorial development and cooperation in the Atlantic area.
